Bioeffects of EM Radiation on Human Skin Health: A Theoretical SAR Analysis
Abstract
Introduction: In this modern era, electromagnetic waves are playing a crucial role in our lives. An electric field is generated around the source of electromagnetic waves like mobile phone transmission towers, radio towers, TV towers, etc., which affects human beings living around them. The sources are increasing as we are regularly using devices that emit EM waves.
Methods: to study the effects of non-ionizing EM radiation on the skin of human being, the electric field around the transmiison tower is calculated. When this external electric field incident on the body of human being, it penetrates inside the skin of human being. The penetrated electric field is calculated at different depth inside the skin. With the help of this penetrated electric field, the specif
ic absorption rate inside the skin is also calculated for various height of transmission tower. The impact of non-ionizing EM radiation on the skin is predominantly associated with thermal effects. The extent of these effects depends on the intensity, duration, and proximity of the exposure.
Results: In this manuscript, the specific absorption rate (SAR) is calculated inside the skin at the variable depth of the epidermis layer of human beings. The transmission towers of EM waves are taken at different heights. It is observed that the tower that has the minimum height produces more electric field inside the skin as compared to the longer-height tower.
Conclusion: The amount of energy absorption by the tissues of the skin is higher for the transmission tower of 50 m height. The energy absorption by the tissues may become harmful for the health of the skin.
References
Schommer NN, Gallo RL. Structure and function of the human skin microbiome. Trends in microbiology. 2013 Dec 1;21(12):660-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24238601/
Panagopoulos DJ, Karabarbounis A, Margaritis LH. Mechanism for action of electromagnetic fields on cells. Biochemical and biophysical research communications. 2002 Oct 18;298(1):95-102. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12379225/
International Atomic Energy Agency. IAEA safety standards for protecting people and the environment. Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards. General Safety Requirements Part 3. 2014. https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1578_web-57265295.pdf
Tyrakis C, Gourzoulidis GA, Kiouvrekis Y, Alexias A, Alkhorayef M, Sulieman A, Kappas C. Radiofrequency exposure in schools' environment reveals spectrum characteristics: The role of public information. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020 Oct;41(7):558-64. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22286
Ahlbom A, Bergqvist U, Bernhardt JH, Cesarini JP, Grandolfo M, Hietanen M, Mckinlay AF, Repacholi MH, Sliney DH, Stolwijk JA, Swicord ML. Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). Health physics. 1998;74(4):494-521. https://pure.johnshopkins.edu/en/publications/guidelines-for-limiting-exposure-to-time-varying-electric-magneti-5
Cork MJ. The importance of skin barrier function. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 1997 Jan 1;8(sup1):S7-13. https://doi.org/10.3109/09546639709160948
Buchwald J, Yeang CP, Stemeroff N, Barton J, Harrington Q. What Heinrich Hertz discovered about electric waves in 1887–1888. Archive for History of Exact Sciences. 2021 Mar;75:125-71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00407-020-00267-8
Li QC, Niu H, Papathanassiou AT, Wu G. 5G network capacity: Key elements and technologies. IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine. 2014 Jan 31;9(1):71-8. 10.1109/MVT.2013.2295070
Kowall B, Breckenkamp J, Blettner M, Schlehofer B, Schüz J, Berg-Beckhoff G. Determinants and stability over time of perception of health risks related to mobile phone base stations. International journal of public health. 2012 Aug;57:735-43. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00038-011-0310-4
Azpilicueta L, Lopez-Iturri P, Zuñiga-Mejia J, Celaya-Echarri M, Rodríguez-Corbo FA, Vargas-Rosales C, Aguirre E, Michelson DG, Falcone F. Fifth-generation (5G) mmwave spatial channel characterization for urban environments’ system analysis. Sensors. 2020 Sep 18;20(18):5360. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20185360.
Yaekashiwa N, Otsuki S, Hayashi SI, Kawase K. Investiga.tion of the non-thermal effects of exposing cells to 70–300 GHz irradiation using a widely tunable source. Journal of radiation research. 2018 Mar 1;59(2):116-21. https://doi.org/10.1093/jrr/rrx075
Simkó M, Mattsson MO. 5G wireless communication and health effects—A pragmatic review based on available studies regarding 6 to 100 GHz. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2019 Sep;16(18):3406. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183406
Zeni O, Scarfì MR. Experimental requirements for in vitro studies aimed to evaluate the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation. Microwave Materials Characterization; InTech: Rijeka, Croatia. 2012 Nov 14:121-38.
Cousin ME, Siegrist M. Cell phones and health concerns: Impact of knowledge and voluntary precautionary recommendations. Risk Analysis: An International Journal. 2011 Feb;31(2):301-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01498.
D’Orazio J, Jarrett S, Amaro-Ortiz A, Scott T. UV radiation and the skin. International journal of molecular sciences. 2013 Jun 7;14(6):12222-48. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms140612222
Nestle FO, Di Meglio P, Qin JZ, Nickoloff BJ. Skin immune sentinels in health and disease. Nature Reviews Immunology. 2009 Oct;9(10):679-91. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2622
Chiaramello E, Bonato M, Fiocchi S, Tognola G, Parazzini M, Ravazzani P, Wiart J. Radio frequency electromagnetic fields exposure assessment in indoor environments: a review. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2019 Mar;16(6):955. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16060955
Kim K, Lee YS, Kim N, Choi HD, Kang DJ, Kim HR, Lim KM. Effects of electromagnetic waves with LTE and 5g bandwidth on the skin pigmentation in vitro. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021 Jan;22(1):170. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010170
Verloock L, Joseph W, Goeminne F, Martens L, Verlaek M, Constandt K. Temporal 24-hour assessment of radio frequency exposure in schools and homes. Measurement. 2014 Oct 1;56:50-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2014.06.012
Saliev T, Begimbetova D, Masoud AR, Matkarimov B. Biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields: Two sides of a coin. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology. 2019 Jan 1;141:25-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.07.009
ICNIRP (International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) Standing Committee on Epidemiology:, Ahlbom A, Green A, Kheifets L, Savitz D, Swerdlow A. Epidemiology of health effects of radiofrequency exposure. Environmental health perspectives. 2004 Dec;112(17):1741-54. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7306
Tesselaar E, Macková P, Pagonis C, Saers S, Ahle M, Sandborg M. Measurement of Skin Dose and Radiation-Induced Changes in Skin Microcirculation in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Cardiac Interventions (Cto-Pci). Radiation Protection Dosimetry. 2021 Oct;195(3-4):257-63. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncab024
Dhara R. Health effects of the Bhopal gas leak: A review. NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. 1994 Nov;4(3):35-48. https://doi.org/10.2190/NS4.3.g
Caraglia M, Marra M, Mancinelli F, D'ambrosio G, Massa R, Giordano A, Budillon A, Abbruzzese A, Bismuto E. Electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequency induce apoptosis and inactivation of the multi?chaperone complex in human epidermoid cancer cells. Journal of cellular physiology. 2005 Aug;204(2):539-48. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.20327
Colombi D, Thors B, TöRnevik C, Balzano Q. RF energy absorption by biological tissues in close proximity to millimeter-wave 5G wireless equipment. IEEE Access. 2018 Jan 5;6:4974-81. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2790038
Koh TH, Choi JW, Seo M, Choi HD, Kim K. Factors affecting risk perception of electromagnetic waves from 5G network base stations. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020 Oct;41(7):491-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22290
Kumar V, Vats RP, Pathak PP. Harmful effects of 41 and 202 MHz radiations on some body parts and tissues. https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/1943
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Public Health and Pharmacy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Journal of Public Health and Pharmacy retain the copyright of their work. The journal applies a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0), which grants the following rights:
-
Copyright Retention: Authors retain the copyright of their work, maintaining full control over their intellectual property without restrictions.
-
Right of First Publication: Authors grant the journal the right of first publication of their work. This ensures that the work is initially published and credited in Journal of Public Health and Pharmacy.
-
License to Share and Reuse: The work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, allowing others to copy, distribute, remix, and build upon the work for any purpose, even commercially, as long as proper credit is given to the authors, and any new creations are licensed under the same terms.
